Baltimore Activist Alert - February 21 - 22, 2018

29] "Saving Energy, Saving Lives" – Feb. 21

30] No oil terminals -- Feb. 21

31] Protect Maryland's Health Care Act – Feb. 21

32] Color of Justice Panel Discussion – Feb. 21

33] The Labor Movement in a Post-Janus World – Feb. 21

34] Conversation with the Irish ambassador – Feb. 21

35] District 5 Happy Hour – Feb. 21

36] Join the Coalition Against the Proposed Cell Tower – Feb. 21

37] SAFER CONSUMPTION SPACES WITH NURSES FOR JUSTICE – Feb. 21

38] Free Kenny Collins – Feb. 21

39] "The U.S.-Japan alliance and the problem of deterrence" – Feb. 22

40] Rally for Solar – Feb. 22

41] Political Economy of Reform in North Korea – Feb. 22

42] We Are Cove Point – Feb. 22

43] Daring Democracy – Feb. 22

44] Bowie Solar Celebration – Feb. 22

45] Mark Bowden at Loyola – Feb. 22

46] “The Common Good” – Feb. 22

47] Film MISS KEITS’ CHILDREN – Feb. 22

48] Pray for Peace in Jerusalem – Feb. 22

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29] – Physicians For Social Responsibility is inviting you to join a webinar to announce the release of "Saving Energy, Saving Lives" on Wed,, Feb. 21 from 10 to 11 AM EST.  Join PSR and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) for a brief webinar with the report's lead author Ned Ketyer, MD FAAP, who will explain the key insights from the report, including the public health benefits of cutting annual electric consumption by 15 percent, the medical cost savings of emission reductions and a ranking of the states and 50 largest U.S. cities where health would benefit most from improved energy efficiency. Register at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8182531837772372483.

30] – Did you know that 165,000 Baltimoreans live in the crude oil train blast zone? Baltimore City could be a national leader and protect Baltimore residents and people across the country from crude oil train explosions by passing the Crude Oil Terminal Prohibition - a straightforward zoning code change that would prevent any new crude oil terminals from being built in Baltimore, cutting off the market for this dangerous fossil fuel before it begins. Join public safety, clean water, clean air, and climate advocates as well as your neighbors from across the city to demand action against crude oil trains!

On Wed., Feb. 21 at noon come to a rally outside City Hall on War Memorial Plaza at noon in support of the Crude Oil Terminal Prohibition. This bill would ban new crude oil terminals in the city and help prevent an increase in dangerous crude-by-rail traffic. After the rally, head inside City Hall for the Baltimore City Council’s Land Use & Transportation Committee's hearing on the bill at 1 PM. Wear red to show your support for the bill.

This is about COUNCIL BILL 17-0150 Zoning – Prohibiting Crude Oil Terminals, and will be heard in City Council Chambers, 4th floor City Hall, 100 Holliday St., Baltimore 21202. A picture ID is required for admission to City Hall.

 Council Bill17-0150 takes a “land use” approach to limiting Baltimore’s future capacity to attract hazardous crude-by-rail oil shipments to Baltimore City.  This legislation adds “Crude Oil Terminals” to the Baltimore Zoning Code’s list of Uses prohibited citywide, already including incinerators, nuclear power plants, and solid waste sanitary landfills. This legislation defines a “Crude Oil Terminal” as “a facility that receives, stores, transfers, ships or processes crude oil.” Baltimore’s two existing crude oil terminals, on the Fairfield Peninsula and in Canton, will be grandfathered in, but expansions of existing terminals and any new such terminals will be prohibited by law.  Go to www.ccanactionfund.org.  RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/213359042571249/.

31] – On Wed., Feb. 21 from 1 to 6 PM, there is a hearing on Protect Maryland's Health Care Act and more, hosted by Maryland Health Care for All at 2600 Saint Paul St., Baltimore, Maryland 21218. The Senate Finance Committee of the Maryland General Assembly will be hearing proposals to preserve and improve upon recent coverage gains made in Maryland under the Affordable Care Act. The first is SB 690 which would have the state consider implementing a very low cost Basic Health Plan option for people who make too much to qualify for Medicaid but still can't find affordable health insurance coverage. The second is SB 1011 which would help to stabilize rates in our insurance market and maximize coverage, particularly among people who had been paying a penalty under the Affordable Care Act. This proposal would help get them covered. See https://www.facebook.com/events/2038276449753403/.

32] – On Wed., Feb. 21 from 5 to 7:30 PM, catch the Color of Justice Panel Discussion and Book Launch, hosted by Women's March D.C. at the Pepco Edison Place Gallery, 702 8th St. NW, WDC 20001.  Washington has one of the highest incarceration rates in the country. Mass incarceration impacts African American families at a disproportionate rate. Incarceration not only impacts families, it impacts communities and society as a whole. Dr. Bonnie Johnson has researched the impact of incarceration on the family and compiled that research in a new book: “African American Women With Incarcerated Mates.” A panel will discuss the societal impact of racial injustice and mass incarceration. This panel is moderated by Mercy Morganfield, President, Women's March D.C.  Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/217265408840951/.

33] – On Wed., Feb. 21 from 5:30 to 7 PM, hear about The Labor Movement in a Post-Janus World, hosted by Jobs With Justice at Busboys and Poets, 5th & K Sts., 1025 5th St. NW, WDC 20001.  Tickets are available at actionnetwork.org.  Fifty years ago, over 1,000 sanitation workers in Memphis, TN walked off the job to demand respect, fair wages and union recognition. Today, the fundamental rights of public sector employees that so many worked and sacrificed for are threatened.

In advance of oral arguments at the Supreme Court on February 26 and the Working People’s Day of Action on February 24, D.C. area supporters and allies are invited to a happy hour and spirited discussion about the impact of the Supreme Court’s pending decision on Janus v. AFSCME Council 31 and the strategies being implemented to continue to protect and build power for working people post-Janus.  RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/1566968900018057/.

34] – On Wed., Feb. 21 from 6 to 9 PM, enjoy a Conversation with His Excellency Daniel Mulhall, in the Slowinski Courtroom, The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, 3600 John McCormack Rd., WDC 20064.  Tickets are available at www.law.edu.  Irish American Law Students Association in partnership with the Irish Network DC (IN-DC) and the Program in Irish Studies present the Ambassador of Ireland to the USA.  A reception will follow.  Ambassador Mulhall is Ireland’s 18th Ambassador to the United States. Before coming to Washington, he served as Ireland’s Ambassador in London. He is an expert on the ramifications of Brexit. Previously, he served as Director-General for European Affairs for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and as Press Counsellor for the Department as part of the Irish Government’s delegation to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. The Ambassador has also served in Germany, India, Austria, and Malaysia. Go to  https://www.facebook.com/events/1852995564994965/.Related Events

35] –There is a District 5 Happy Hour on Wed., Feb. 21 from 6 to 8 PM at Nando's Peri-Peri, 924 Ellsworth Dr., Silver Spring 20910 with great food, and even better company. RSVP at http://www.pmdmontgomery.org/february_happy_hour?utm_campaign=wkmem2_12_18&utm_medium=email&utm_source=progressivemaryland. Visit with fellow progressives in Montgomery County! Contact Garrett Mannchen at gmannchen@gmail.com.

36] –   On Wed., Feb. 21 at 6:30 PM, there will a Rally followed at 7 PM by giving Testimony at the Monthly AA County Board of Education Meeting, 2644 Riva Road, Annapolis, MD 21401. The Anne Arundel County Board of Education is in a business relationship with the Milestone Corporation and has a contract to lease school land to build 40 towers at schools located in Anne Arundel County. There are already several towers on school properties in Anne Arundel County. Is your child's school next?

Join The Coalition Against the Proposed Cell Tower at Shady Side Elementary School, the South County Huddle and Take Action Anne Arundel County to voice your opposition.  The public can comment for 3 minutes. All attendees and speakers are requested to be courteous and peaceful. Speaking points will be provided if you would like to participate and need assistance. RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/399821420470052/.

37] –  On Wed., Feb. 21 at 7:30 PM at Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201, turn out for SAFER CONSUMPTION SPACES WITH NURSES FOR JUSTICE. What is harm reduction? What are Safer Consumption Spaces? These questions and more will be answered when Nurses for Justice and Baltimore Harm Reduction Coalition come together to host a panel on Safer Consumption Spaces. Learn from those advocating for Safer Consumption Spaces in Maryland on how this harm reduction approach to drug-use could save lives in our community. Hear from advocates in Baltimore city who are working to make these spaces a reality for our community members. We will also do some letter writing in support of a bill that will establish Safer Consumption Spaces in Maryland and commit ourselves to different harm reduction strategies in 2018. Call 443-602-7585. RSVP at http://www.redemmas.org. 

38] – On Wed., Feb. 21 from 7:30 to 9:30 PM, participate in Free Kenny Collins: Live from The Other Death Row, hosted by the Prison Resistance Project at The Stamp (Adele H. Stamp Student Union), Thurgood Marshall Room (2113), 3972 Campus Dr., College Park 20742. Collins has been in prison in Maryland for 30 years, including 17 years on death row. He was convicted of a robbery and murder that occurred in 1986. Kenny has always maintained his innocence and continues to do so to this day. The facts in his case make it hard to understand how he could have been convicted, let alone sentenced to death, and his case is emblematic of many of the problems with the criminal justice system in the U.S., and Maryland in particular.  Join the Prison Resistance Project and the International Socialist Organization for a discussion of Kenny’s case, the general issues of life in prison in Maryland, including the aging prison population, and the fight for Kenny and for justice for all prisoners and how you can get involved. The racist system of mass incarceration, or “New Jim Crow” as Michele Alexander puts it, must be resisted! Kenny Collins will call from prison.  See https://www.facebook.com/events/174235863276886/.

39] – On Thurs., Feb. 22 from 9 to 11 AM, Narushige Michishita, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies; former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Missile Defense Policy M. Elaine Bunn; ret. Lieutenant General Noboru Yamaguchi, International University of Japan; and Eric Heginbotham, Massachusetts Institute of Technology will address "The U.S.-Japan alliance and the problem of deterrence" at the Brookings Institution, Saul/Zilkha Room, 1775 Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC. RSVP at http://connect.brookings.edu/register-to-attend-us-japan-deterrence.

A fundamental purpose of the U.S.-Japan alliance has always been to reduce the incentive that any adversary would have to wage war against Japan. To that end, Japan has built up the capabilities of the Self-Defense Forces over several decades, and has even partially relaxed the traditional limits concerning the use of those capabilities. For its part, the United States has clearly stated its commitment to Japan’s defense and a willingness, if necessary, to use nuclear weapons should an adversary attack Japan. Recent shifts in the regional security environment, particularly North Korea’s relentless effort to build nuclear capabilities to hit the continental United States can undermine Japanese confidence in the U.S. defense commitment. In particular, Japanese security experts worry that Washington will no longer be willing to use nuclear weapons to defend Japan once North Korea can retaliate with its own nuclear program.

40] – The Maryland General Assembly is deliberating on a measure that would grow Maryland’s in-state solar generation nearly seven-times as part of an ambitious plan to meet 50% of our energy needs from renewables by 2030. The Clean Energy Jobs bill (SB 732 / HB 1453) is the best chance to make a meaningful impact on the Maryland solar market this year. Join a Solar Rally and Lobby Day at the State House on Thurs., Feb. 22 starting at 9:30 AM. RSVP at https://secure.everyaction.com/hvwG0zxSukCfizbUcPZ3uw2?utm_medium=email&utm_source=mdsolarrallyandlobbyday&utm_campaign=marylandeblast&utm_content=action&ms=email-mdsolarrallyandlobbyday-marylandeblast-action-.  

Join with friends at MDV-SEIA, a solar trade industry group from 9:30 to 10:15 AM, in a rally on the Lawyer’s Mall, out front of the State House, before visiting the legislator offices from 10:15 AM to noon. You will receive materials, talking points, and a brief training, but the key to making the day a success will be to tell your story as a solar supporter and why the expansion of solar in our state is important to you. Snacks and drinks will be available during the day as well! If you’re unable to participate in the activities in-person, but do want to connect with your representative, indicate this on the RSVP form, and you will be connected via video chat when advocates are in your representative’s office! Email lauren@solarunitedneighbors.org.

41] – Partnerships for International Strategies in Asia (PISA) invites you to Political Economy of Reform in North Korea with Kevin Gray on Thurs., Feb. 22 from noon to 2:30 PM at Lindner Commons, Room 602, The Elliott School of International Affairs, 1957 E St.. NW, WDC 20052.  Email pisa@gwu.edu. RSVP at https://goo.gl/forms/WLeWk7XTvY30Q8zN2.  This is part of the PISA series, co-sponsored by the GW Institute for Korean Studies.  Gray is with the University of Sussex and Woodrow Wilson Center.  The discussant is Joongho Kim, Visiting Scholar, GW Institute for Korean Studies.  Lunch will be provided. Principled Engagement with North Korea event series will culminate in a day-long conference on March 28, 2018.

42] – On Thurs., Feb. 22 from noon to 1 PM, We are Cove Point hosts the 35th Safety Study Rally and Parade of Poisons.  Meet at the park near Bladen and Calvert Streets in Annapolis. Wear black if you can, as the Maryland Public Service Commission just granted Dominion Energy permission to pollute without limits in Cove Point. The Parade of Poisons says that this is not acceptable, and there will be balloons with the names of chemicals on them and signs to carry. Bringing your own sign is encouraged. The theme is protecting our air and health. We will march past the legislative buildings to the State House and then to the Governor's Mansion.  RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/163141904333939/.

43] – On Thurs., Feb. 22 from 1 to 2:30 PM be at the Book Discussion: Daring Democracy, hosted by Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia, 7246 Cradlerock Way, Columbia 21045.  Tickets available at www.uucolumbia.net. Join Glennor Shirley to discuss the UUA's 2017-2018 common read, “Daring Democracy: Igniting Power, Meaning, and Connection for the America We Want,” by Frances Moore Lappé and Adam Eichen, (Beacon Press, 2017) lifts up the importance of democracy itself. It examines the anti-democracy movement that has led to the Trump presidency, then offers a vision and call to action to save our democracy and to take our civic life to a place it has never been.  Pre-Registration is required at http://tinyurl.com/UUCC-AdultREd.

44] – Come out for the Bowie Solar Celebration on Thurs., Feb, 22 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Old Bowie Town Grille, 8604 Chestnut Ave., Bowie 20715  Celebrate solar successes with food, drinks, and solar fun!  Celebrate the successes of the Bowie Solar Co-ops, hear about the new name and vision for the future, and learn about exciting new ways to get involved with Solar United Neighbors.  Visit https://www.solarunitedneighbors.org/maryland/going-solar-in-maryland/go-solar-in-a-maryland-group/bowie/. Light snacks and beverages will be provided. We welcome solar homeowners, past and current co-op participants, and any community members interested in learning more about solar to this event. Email mdteam@solarunitedneighbors.org.

45] – On Thurs., Feb. 22 from 6:30 to 9:30 PM, enjoy a Q&A with Mark Bowden, ’73, author of New York Times bestseller “Black Hawk Down,” hosted by Loyola University Maryland, 4501 N. Charles St., Baltimore 21210.  The lecture, which will be conducted as a Q&A moderated by Thomas Scheye, Ph.D., Loyola Distinguished Service Professor and senior advisor to the president, is free and open to the public. A book signing will follow the lecture. For more information, go to www.loyola.edu/bowden.

46] – On Thurs., Feb. 22 from 7 to 8:30 PM, hear Robert Reich talk about “The Common Good,” hosted by Sixth & I and Politics and Prose Bookstore, 600 I St. NW, WDC 20001.  Tickets available at www.brownpapertickets.com.  Reich has been one of America's leading political thinkers since he served as Bill Clinton's Secretary of Labor, for which Time Magazine named him one of the ten most effective cabinet secretaries of the twentieth century. A constant voice for social change, Reich is the author of 14 books, including the best-sellers “Saving Capitalism and The Work of Nations.” Now, he makes the case for restoring the idea of the common good to the center of our economics, our politics, and our national identity. His book argues that societies undergo both virtuous and vicious cycles, and that the vicious cycle the U.S. is now undergoing can and must be reversed. Reich challenges us to weigh what really matters, and to join forces to save America's soul. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/156047675047644/.

47] –   See a FILM SCREENING of “Miss Kiet's Children” on Thurs., Feb. 22 at 7:30 PM at Creative Alliance at The Patterson, 3134 Eastern Ave., Baltimore 21224.  The film is presented in partnership with the International Rescue Committee and Refugee Youth Project. Tickets are $10, and $7 for members purchased on line.  Kiet Engels is the kind of teacher one wishes every schoolchild could have. She is strict but never harsh. She is loving but never soft. Her patience is endless.

Many of Miss Kiet's pupils are refugees who have just arrived in Holland. By observation alone, without interviews or voice-over, the film focuses on four refugee children of different nationalities. Pursuing their perspective, the camera closely follows their struggle to learn a new language, their fights, their friendships and their first loves.  By the end of the documentary, an affectionate community has grown—the fruit of a teacher's patience and dedication. A film of many touching moments, some of them hilarious.  Email info@creativealliance.org or call 410/276-1651.

48] – On Thurs., Feb., 22 at 7:30 PM, Pray for Peace in Jerusalem at the Peace Chapel at the Cathedral of the Incarnation, 4 East University Parkway, Baltimore 21218.  The entrance is on Charles Street. Contact the Rev. Charles Cloughen, Jr., Interfaith Peace Service Coordinator, at ccloughen@episcopalmaryland.org or by calling 410-321-4545.

Rev. Cloughen is seeking Congregations to host a Peace Service on Thurs., March 22 and Sun., Apr. 22, and Tues., May 22. Speak to your Pastor, Rabbi or Imam and have them host a Peace Service.  A sample service is available, and Rev. Cloughen will you in the planning. 

To be continued.

Donations can be sent to the Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 325 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218.  Ph: 410-323-1607; Email: mobuszewski2001 [at] comcast.net. Go to http://baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com/.

"The master class has always declared the wars; the subject class has always fought the battles. The master class has had all to gain and nothing to lose, while the subject class has had nothing to gain and everything to lose--especially their lives." Eugene Victor Debs